Tobacco Control Policy

This area of research can inform the development, implementation and evaluation of regulatory and other policies. The 2010 Maori Affairs Select Committee report on tobacco made recommendations for regulatory interventions that limit the exposure to, and appeal of tobacco.

The extent of exposure of children to smoking in ‘private’ places 2015-16

MPH

Leanne Toledo

Evaluation of smokefree parks policy

Completed 2012

Current projects

New Zealand arm of International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (NZ-ITC project)

The NZ arm of the international ITC study is an HRC-funded project that will establish a cohort of New Zealand smokers and ex-smokers and interview them over several years in order to describe patterns of smoking-related behaviours, explore influences on smoking and quitting and determine the impact of tobacco control policies and other interventions. The study is a major enhancement to NZ tobacco control research and will help provide evidence to inform policy and strategy development to achieve Smokefree 2025. For more information view here.

Smokefree signage at New Zealand schools

This research used Google Street View to help evaluate smokefree signage at NZ schools. A letter has been published in the journal Australia & NZ Journal of Public Health. A presentation was made at the September 2015 NZ PHA Conference. For more information view here.

Smokefree signage on New Zealand hospital campuses

This research used Google Street View to help evaluate smokefree signage at both a convenience sample and national random sample of hospitals. A letter has been published in the New Zealand Medical Journal. A presentation was made at the September 2015 NZ PHA Conference. For more information view here.

Smoking at a café in a smokefree park

An observational study (with “control” cafés) has been submitted to a journal (lead person is Nick Wilson).

Smokefree city options

This project will develop, inform and test effective policy options for denormalising smoking in central Wellington – ie, options towards a smokefree central Wellington. The project is at the stage of workshopping policy options, and a project report is due in March 2016. For more information view here

The power of exposure

This study investigated the presence and extent of environmental influences on alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking in CBD and suburban streets in Wellington. It was carried out by fourth year medical students at the University of Otago, Wellington under the supervision of ASPIRE2025 researchers, Nick Wilson and George Thomson. The project report and introductory video can be viewed here.

Past Projects

Unless otherwise stated, staff on the projects below are the University of Otago, Wellington.

Retail regulation

Funded by Cancer Society of NZ. Staff: Janet Hoek, Rhonwyn Vaudrey (both Marketing Department, University of Otago), Philip Gendall (Massey University), Richard Edwards, George Thomson. This project investigated NZ retailers’ experience of putting tobacco out of sight, the reasons they did so, and the reactions of their customers.

Daring to Dream

Funded by the Marsden Fund. Staff: Richard Edwards, Marie Russell, George Thomson, Nick Wilson, Heather Gifford (Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development).
This project aimed to explore attitudes towards supply-side focused ‘endgame’ tobacco control approaches and how they can be best communicated with senior policymakers, journalists, health promotion and public health practitioners and the public using in-depth interviews and focus groups. Key findings include strong support for the vision of a tobacco free New Zealand and great interest in endgame tobacco control approaches.

Smokefree cars

Funded by the Cancer Society of NZ, National Office; Vimal Patel, George Thomson

This project in 2011 (a) Refined methods to measure the point prevalence of smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in moving vehicles; and (b) compared these prevalences: (i) between two areas of contrasting socioeconomic status in Wellington City – Wainuiomata and Karori; (ii) over time – 1995 to 2011.

One finding was that smoking in vehicles with children was over ten times higher in Wainuiomata compared to Karori. A presentation from the project was given at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, Brisbane, in October 2011.

Observing smoking prevalence outdoors

Funded by the Health Research Council: The Smokefree Kids Policy Project. and the cancer Society. Staff for this project: Vimal Patel, Marie Russell, Gabrielle Jenkin, George Thomson:

In this 2011-2012 part of the project we aimed to: (i) Develop methods for establishing the prevalence of smoking in a variety of outdoor places (eg, streets, playgrounds); (ii) Trial the methods across different types of sites, different cities and different countries; and (iii) Explore the similarities and differences in smoking behaviours across the types of sites and different countries.

Smokefree streets

Funded by the Cancer Society of NZ (Wellington Division); Vimal Patel, George Thomson, Heather Gifford (Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development):

This 2011 project piloted research methods for investigating policies for smokefree shopping streets in the Wellington region, particularly in downtown areas. The work included a survey of businesses, and the development of methods for observing smokers and measuring corresponding fine particulate levels.

The Whanganui District Bylaw

Funded by the Health Research Council: The Smokefree Kids Policy Project. Staff for project: Lynley Cvitanovic (Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development), George Thomson.

This project investigated the reasons for, and process of, the Whanganui District adopting a smokefree parks and reserves bylaw in August 2010. A journal article is being submitted.

Smokefree schools

A book chapter has recently been accepted for publication. In it we discuss the international background for smoke free schools and wider smoke free environments, the general evidence regarding smoke free environment policies, and the evidence for smoke free schools in particular. Staff: Heather Gifford (Whakauae Research for Māori Health and Development) George Thomson.

Gifford H, Thomson G. Smoke free environments for children – the relationship between schools and wider smoke free environments (chapter 14). In Current Issues and Controversies in School and Community Health, Sport and Physical Education. Edited by J. O’Dea. Nova Science Publishers: New York. 2012. Chapter 14.

Thomson G, Wilson N, Edwards R. (2010). Kiwi support for the end of tobacco sales: New Zealand governments lag behind public support for advanced tobacco control policies. New Zealand Medical Journal, 123(1308), 106-111.

Countdown to Smokefree 2025

Smokefree AotearoaJanuary 1st, 2025

4.6years to go.

About Us

ASPIRE2025 is a partnership between major New Zealand research groups carrying out tobacco control research to help achieve the Government's goal of a tobacco-free Aotearoa by 2025. We launched in July 2011.

ASPIRE2025 brings together leading tobacco-control researchers and health service groups in New Zealand and strengthens existing collaborations. ASPIRE2025 was awarded the status of a University of Otago Research Theme in November 2011.